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Schools

School renovations are a necessary part of creating a positive learning environment and keeping students and faculty safe, but we understand that frequent upgrades aren’t always an option. When it comes to school roof repairs, however, we can assure you that taking care of the issue early is the best way to go.

Whether your school is in dire need of a new roof or simply requires a few fixes, IRC can help. Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) technology is the most advanced roofing system and could be the solution you’re looking for. Not only will a better roof protect your students, but it could also save you money in the long run. Economize without risking safety!

Signs Your School Needs A Roof Upgrade

Unfortunately, roof upgrades can be costly, especially upfront, but the dangers of a poorly maintained roof are too high to ignore. If the roof of your school is getting up there in years, here are a few ways to tell if you need an upgrade sooner rather than later.

Water or Algae on the Roof

The first sign of wear and tear is physical—seeing dark spots, streaks or signs of algae growth on your roof. These are signs of excess moisture, which may mean it’s time for an upgrade. Even if your school roof isn’t leaking into your classrooms, you should never have standing water on your roof for very long. Water should evaporate or drain off of a roof system within a day or two. Ponding water can lead to a sagging roof, leaks inside your building, and dangerous mold growth if not addressed.

Musty Smell

When moisture gets inside your ceiling, it can create the perfect environment for mold and mildew. If you notice a damp, musty smell, especially when it rains, this is a good indicator that your roof needs repair. Even without seeing evidence of leaks – dripping water, stains on the ceiling or streaks down the wall – a damp smell is evidence of a moisture problem and you should have your roof inspected as soon as possible.

Damage Around Roof Fixtures

Another physical sign is visible damage around lights, chimneys, or other roof fixtures. Inspect your roof biannually, and be on the look out for damage to your flashing, correctly sealed joints and bubbling or cracking on your roof. Any of this wear and tear means you need your school roof inspected and repaired soon before the damage gets worse.

High Energy Bills, No Matter The Season

If you are noticing an increase in your energy bills, your school’s roof might not be doing its job of regulating the temperature inside your building. A quality roof has insulative properties that keep heat in when it’s cold and out when it’s hot. A new roof is one of the best ways to lower your school’s energy bill.

North Laurel Before North Laurel High after

Notice any of these signs of damage?

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The Best Roofing Solution for Your School

Spray foam is one of the best roofing materials around for its versatility, durability, and many other advantages. If your school is in need of major repairs or replacement, then SPF should be a top contender for new material.

What is SPF?

SPF stands for Sprayed Polyurethane Foam and is a revolutionary type of roofing that provides the best insulation properties of any roof system. It doesn’t require tearing off your old roof system and that means it has a clean and easy installation. Plus, because it doesn’t have any fasteners or seams, leaks and repairs are extremely rare.

Spray polyurethane foam is fluid-applied at an average thickness of 1-2 inches. As the foam cures, it expands to approximately 20 times its original mass. Within minutes, it becomes a very rigid and durable insulating layer. An elastomeric coating layer is then applied over the SPF to provide further protection from the elements.



North Bullitt High before picture North Bullitt high school after

The Benefits of an SPF Roof

The advantages of spray foam begin at installation and end with the long life of your roof. While the high price tag turns some building managers away, the truth is that all the benefits of spray foam add up to make the superior quality well worth the investment.

Easy Installation Process

No matter how complex your roof is, spray foam is easy and quick to install. Our team just needs to be able to get our equipment on or near your roof to be able to install this system. Because spray foam is self-adhering, it can be applied directly to most existing substrates, which eliminates the cost of tear-off, reduces waste, limits interior exposure and downtime, and keeps labor costs low. 

In most cases, a spray foam roof can be installed directly over top of your existing roof, as long as it is clean and dry. Summer break is the perfect time to make roof repairs, but the simplicity of the installation process means that we can install a new roof on your school no matter the time of year with little to no disruption to your daily activities.

Bullitt Central high after

High-Quality Roofing

With few natural occurrences that can damage spray foam, an SPF roof doesn’t require a lot of repairs to keep in tip-top shape. In the event that repairs are needed, they are extremely easy to make. Only routine maintenance is needed to keep your roof in prime condition for 15-20 years. 

This durable material is designed to stand up against all kinds of severe weather. No other roof system can resist wind uplift or ponding water like spray foam. When your roof reaches the end of that lifespan, though, that doesn’t meant it’s time for new roof. Only the protective coating needs to be replaced to keep your roof for another 15-20 years. 

Energy Savings

SPF has the highest R-value rating of any other roofing system, which could mean huge energy savings for your school. Spray foam acts as insulation for your building with no extra layers, helping to keep it cool in the summer and warm in the winter. SPF also has a reflective coating installed over top of it, which reflects UV rays into the atmosphere rather than absorbing them and converting them into heat energy.

While the upfront cost of SPF is high, the energy savings alone alone make this superior material worth it. A study carried out by Texas A&M University determined that their spray foam roofs had completely paid for themselves through reduced energy expenses in under 5 years.


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IRC & Schools

When you have students to think about, you can’t afford to put off necessary repairs to your school facility. Musty smells and dripping ceilings certainly don’t make for a positive learning environment. No matter the extent of damage, IRC is here to help you make roof repairs that keep your students and faculty safe throughout the year.

For over 40 years, IRC has been a trusted name in spray foam roofing. Not only do we provide excellent service every time, but we also are dedicated to finding the best roofing solution for your building. Since 2019, IRC has upgraded 2.1 million square feet of roofing at schools, protecting over a quarter million students from the disadvantages of poor roofing.


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Here’s what Our Clients have to Say

“We’ve worked with IRC on multiple building projects…the integrity that they have as far as the work they do and what they’ve done over the years was paramount.”

~School Principal, Indiana

“They worked around the clock, brought extra guys in, and did everything we asked them to do.”

~School Board Member, Indiana

“We’re very pleased with their product and their customer service.”

~Facilities Director, Indiana

Get an Infrared Scan of your School Roof

If you’re not ready to commit to a new roof, IRC’s infrared roof scan can provide you with the big picture of your roof’s health. Just going up for a quick look around is not enough — many of the problems on school roofs are hidden to the naked eye. 

The infrared scan identifies problems before they come visible. It can detect hidden leaks and pockets of moisture. Being able to fully understand your roof’s health and the dangers it poses can help you make big repair and replacement decisions.

At IRC, we are committed to protecting our communities. To help keep our students safe, we are offering a free infrared roof scan to qualified schools.


Norwood Elementary before Norwood Elementary after

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Now is the perfect time to renovate your roof

You shouldn’t have to put off fixing your leaky roof just because your school district doesn’t have the funds to allocate for building repairs. Damaged roofs are not only a hazard to students and faculty, but they could also be wasting money with higher than normal energy bills. With new legislation, however, many schools are in better positions than ever to make necessary renovations.

The American Rescue Act 

The American Rescue Plan Act is a federal aid that provides additional funding to help billions of dollars worth of education and education asset needs. This Act provides nearly $125 billion in financial resources to support K-12 schools in making improvements over the next three and a half years to ensure that students return to the classroom with adequate resources and in safe conditions. This economic relief plan sets out to protect schools from state funding cuts and facilitate an equal learning opportunity for all students – especially those in low-income districts.

The Act specifies that at least 20% of the funds must be used to address learning gaps resulting from the pandemic, but the remainder of the money can be used in other ways. Now your district can address neglected facilities and make repairs that better the learning environment for students.


Learn More About the American Rescue Plan

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IRC is Here to Help

No matter where you are in your school roof’s lifespan, IRC is here to help you get the most out of your spray foam roof and keep everyone in your building safe.

This free downloadable Building Maintenance Schedule gives you an outline to follow to plan the maintenance of your facilities. Of course, you should tailor it to your needs, but it’s a good starting point to guide your planning. 

Fill out the form here.

Our Roof Inspection Guide will help you plan and execute inspections and to carry out necessary actions after the inspection is complete.

Download the Guide here.

Whatever your needs are, IRC has you covered. Whether you’re still thinking about committing to an SPF roof or need more instruction on maintenance, you can visit our blog and view other resources for more information.

IRC is committed to helping schools foster the best environment and facilities for their students. Our perfected techniques and high-quality materials can help give you a roof that lasts for decades to come. Don’t wait until after leaks and musty smells disrupt class to get a roof scan. Be proactive with the care of your building and your students.


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